WestJet and Air Canada announce flight adjustments as fuel prices rise

Some airlines have announced some flight adjustments in order to navigate rising fuel prices. 

In an April 20th update, WestJet noted that supply chain challenges and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz have prompted some “near-term measures.”  

Though no major schedule changes have yet been made due to fuel availability, WestJet’s summer schedule may be adjusted.

Some smaller changes that have been made by WestJet include consolidating flights on lower demand routes and adjusting the travel period for seasonal offerings. No specific flights were identified as being consolidated. 

The company says they are monitoring the global fuel situation closely. 

Air Canada has also announced some flight impacts from rising fuel costs. 

In an April 17th statement, the company said they continue to monitor and review their network to ensure that routes are meeting profitability targets. 

“Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, affecting some lower profitability routes and flights which now are no longer economically feasible,” said Air Canada in the statement. 

Thus far, the following schedule changes have been made in response:

• Domestic Canada:
  • Fort McMurray-Vancouver: route suspended effective May 28th
  • Yellowknife-Toronto: route suspended effective August 30th
• Transborder:
  • Salt Lake City, Utah-Toronto: temporary route suspension, effective June 30th, with plans to resume in 2027
  • JFK, New York-Toronto: temporary suspension effective June 1st, with plans to resume in October
  • JFK, New York-Montreal: temporary suspension effective June 1st, with plans to resume in October
• International:
  • Guadalajara, Mexico-Montreal: route planned to launch now suspended

As of this publication, WestJet and Air Canada are the only major airlines who frequently fly in and out of Victoria International Airport that have announced any flight suspensions or schedule changes.